Crockett, Gibson County Tornado

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Base Reflectivityshows classic "hook echo"

Base Velocity showing storm's rotation

Composite Reflectivity

Warnings Issued

4:15pm: Tornado Warning for Crockett and Gibson County

Doppler Radar had indicated a severe thunderstorm with a possible tornado over Crockett county shortly after 4:00pm. The composite reflectivity had indicated a storm with the potential of producing hail as large as 3.75 inches in diameter and the base reflectivity indicates a classic hook echo commonly associted with thunderstorms that produce tornadoes. In addition, analysis of the winds within the storm showed a strong rotation with a shear of >45kts. This prompted the National Weather Service to issue a tornado warning for Crockett and Gibson counties. Despite the strong indications by the radar, no ground confirmation or damage reports were received from either county. The storm began to weaken as it continued to move toward the northeast but did still produce a tornado in the town of McKenzie.

Initial damage from the storm was just outside of town where 11 greenhouses were flattened at a nursery. The storm proceeded northeast through a small subdivision just south of Highway 79 and took the roof off of one house with minor damages to other homes. It then hit the Gaines Furniture Manufacturing Co. and took most of the metal roof off of a 10,000 square foot building. It then moved up highway 79 and hit a lumber yard and carpet store on the north side of the street with both receiving major damage. However, stores on the south side of the street received minor or no damage at all. The storm then damaged or destroyed 13 mobile homes at a trailer park just north of hwy 79. The tornado was rated as a strong F1 with a path 3 miles long, 50-150 yards wide.